Illuminae - Music by Argo

Illuminae

A Surround Sound Space Opera

As part of Brisbane Writers Festival, Brisbane Contemporary Classical/Electronic duo Argo (composer/performers Ben Heim and Connor D’Netto), in conjunction with Queensland Music Festival and the University of Queensland School of Music, present the final event in their 2016 concert season, Illuminae.

Taking text from the best-selling sci-fi book Illuminae, by Melbourne authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, audiences will be placed in the centre of the novel’s action as another universe explodes around them in surround sound. Lovers converse, a damaged artificial intelligence goes rogue, and star cruisers battle as live strings and electronics underscore this cinematic experience.

“Never have I read a book so wholly unique and utterly captivating. Brace yourself. You’re about to be immersed in a mindscape that you’ll never want to leave.” — Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author.

“Argo do performances rather than concerts proper. Which is to say that you really have to be there to get it . . . it’s certain to make you stop and think and listen. I definitely recommend it” – Carolina Caliaba, 4ZZZ.

The event not only features music written by two local composers, but also a collection of some of the best up-and-coming musicians from the University of Queensland School of music, lead by the acclaimed cellist Patrick Murphy of the Southern Cross Solosits.

Argo’s music evades categorisation by genre. By combining influences from popular and electronic music with the traditional forms of classical music, these events breaks down the barriers between musical genres as a means of introducing new audiences to new music. Filmic atmospheres meet electronics and contemporary classical music in this one-off conceptual event.